Switzerland to restrict private animal imports from UK

People travelling from the UK to Switzerland will have to forgo putting meat and dairy products in their luggage starting on January 1. © Keystone / Gaetan Bally

Travellers from the United Kingdom entering the Alpine country with animals or animal products will face stricter rules once the UK officially leaves the European Union.

Starting January 1, people travelling from England, Scotland and Wales will no longer be able to import products containing meat or dairy, including cheese, the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office announced External linkon Thursday.

However, they are still permitted to carry up to 20kg of fish, 2kg of honey and 125g of caviar per person.

The Swiss veterinary office said dogs, cats and ferrets being flown into Switzerland would be allowed entry only via Geneva, Zurich and Basel airports. The import of birds would be possible only through Geneva and Zurich airports.

Owners of dogs, cats and ferrets wishing to bring them from the UK to Switzerland by car or train via EU countries would be subject to the appropriate EU paperwork and regulationsExternal link, a veterinary office spokesperson told swissinfo.ch.

Regulations on rabies applicable to “third countries” such as the United States will now also apply to the UK, which is classified as a low-risk country.

Rules applicable to people arriving from Northern Ireland are not yet clear, the veterinary office told news agency Keystone-SDA.